ADB provides $40 million loan to Bank Respublika for Azerbaijan agriculture

Egypt's parliament authorised the military to provide support to help defend Saudi Arabia. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad travelled to Riyadh on Wednesday.

The two officials delivered a letter from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. President Sisi stated that Egyptian support would be limited to defending Saudi territory and borders rather than attacking Yemen.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Sisi in Cairo on 15 September. Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition in March 2015 and has deployed around 800 ground troops in Yemen.

The Makkah mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye was signed in August. Badr Abdelatty said Egyptian membership in the pact remained under serious consideration.

Cairo advocates exploring every opportunity to resolve the Yemen conflict diplomatically.

Dictionary.com selected "maxxing" as its 2026 Word of the Year, identifying the term as a prominent fixture of modern vocabulary. The word describes the act of optimising a specific activity or pursuing a goal to its absolute fullest extent.

Usage of the term has surged primarily among Gen Z and Gen Alpha demographics. Common variations of the expression include "gymmaxxing," "healthmaxxing," "sleepmaxxing," and "tokenmaxxing."

The term has permeated political messaging, appearing in phrases such as "homelandmaxxing." People also use "cozymaxxing" to characterise efforts aimed at maximising leisure and personal comfort.

The selection followed an evaluation of news coverage, social media trends, cultural significance, and search data. Dictionary.com previously chose "67" as its 2025 Word of the Year.

Finalists for the current award included "affordability," "data centre," "unc," and "odyssey." Christopher Nolan is set to release a 2026 film adaptation of Homer's epic.

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) launched a pharmacovigilance outreach campaign to enhance medicine safety and promote the reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions. Technical support for the initiative was provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Representatives from the National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC) of DRAP met with the Chief Executive Officer of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Healthcare Commission (KPHCC) to discuss the program. Awareness sessions were conducted at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Peshawar General Hospital (PGH), and Rehman Medical Institute (RMI) in Peshawar.

Participants at these venues were introduced to VigiMobile and VigiFlow, which are tools designed to facilitate the reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions. These digital tools also support evidence-based regulatory decisions.

DRAP stated the initiative aimed to strengthen partnerships and encourage a culture of pharmacovigilance.

The Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) stated that placing simple and visible warning labels on food packaging makes nutritional information easier to understand than complex nutrition panels. Clear front-of-package warning labels help consumers identify packaged foods containing high levels of nutrients of concern.

These labels improve the understanding of nutritional risks and can influence people to select healthier food products. Health advocates maintain that consumers have the right to clear and accessible information regarding the nutritional content of packaged foods.

The initiative calls for greater attention to transparent food labelling.

Fox will premiere its reboot of the blockbuster beach series Baywatch at 9 p.m. on 6 January 2027. The network ordered 12 episodes for the 2026-2027 broadcast season in September 2025.

Production began in Los Angeles during the spring following an open casting call held in early 2026. Shay Mitchell, Brooks Nader, Hassie Harrison, Livvy Dunne, Noah Beck, David Chokachi and Thaddeus LaGrone star in the new production.

Amell and Belkin also feature in the reboot, while Megan Thee Stallion makes an appearance. Recurring roles include Ashley Moore, Luke Eisner, Nadia Gray, Kylar Miranda, and Charlie McElveen.

Matt Nix serves as an executive producer alongside McG, Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, Doug Schwartz, Dante Di Loreto and Mike Horowitz. McG directed the premiere episode of the series, which was co-produced by Fox Entertainment and Fremantle.

The original Baywatch series first debuted in 1989 and aired in more than 200 countries.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) CRO Islamabad office hosted an awareness session in partnership with the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Tax Bar Association. Mahboob Ahmad, the Incharge CRO Islamabad, headed the SECP delegation during the proceedings.

Participants received detailed information regarding the specific compliance mandates established under the Companies Act, 2017. The Central Depository Company (CDC) was represented by Zafar, who joined the session to discuss the role of the institution in managing share transfers.

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Zafar explained the necessary procedures and requirements for moving shares through the CDC system.

Apple launched iOS 27.2, introducing specific functionality for the iPhone Duo hardware. The new operating system enables Apple Pencil support on the iPhone Duo.

Users can also access an "Edge Light" feature on the device. The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen.

Siri AI now performs suggested actions within the Messages app. Language support for Siri AI has expanded to include French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

The company is deploying support for Google’s SynthID AI watermark in Photos and Image Playground. Dual capture is now available for FaceTime group calls.

Apple also distributed macOS 27.2 Golden Gate, watchOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, and HomePod 27.2.

The State Bank of Pakistan expects the nation's foreign exchange reserves to reach $25 billion by the end of June 2027. Governor Jameel Ahmad stated that the bank is aiming to increase the import cover to a four-month period.

Current reserves are valued at approximately $21.5 billion, which provides enough cover for three months of imports. The $25 billion projection excludes a $10 billion Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility that Pakistan formally requested from the United States earlier this year.

Washington is expected to provide a response regarding the stabilisation facility request within the next couple of months. The State Bank of Pakistan recently raised the policy rate by 50 basis points to 12%.

Actress Mawra Hocane visited a repatriation centre to meet families preparing to return home from conflict zones. She collaborated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on an Instagram video to raise awareness about the humanitarian situation.

During the visit, Hocane listened to the stories of parents worried about their futures and children mourning the loss of their schools and friends. The actress noted that while efforts may never be sufficient, it is vital to provide any possible assistance to those in need.

Hocane explained that the UNHCR works to ensure families who choose to return can do so in a safe and dignified manner. Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gillani recently welcomed a baby boy.

The Asian Development Bank will provide a new financing package to help approximately 200,000 smallholder farmers build resilience against climate change. Extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and heatwaves, are currently damaging irrigation systems and roads across rural Cambodia.

These infrastructure failures are isolating farmers from markets and threatening the stability of national food supplies. More than half of the agricultural workforce in the country is comprised of women.

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The funding will specifically aim to increase the role of women within the agricultural sector.

The Government of Punjab issued a public awareness message to educate the population on identifying stroke symptoms. Medical signs of a stroke include drooping on one side of the face, weakness in the arm, and difficulty speaking.

Call Rescue 1122 immediately upon the appearance of these symptoms to seek urgent medical attention. Patients must be transported to the nearest stroke center as quickly as possible.

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A QR code is available to provide a list of established stroke centers across Punjab. Guidance and information regarding the Chief Minister Stroke Program can be accessed through a dedicated website or helpline.

Ayesha Omar and Nabeel Zafar marked the 17th anniversary of the sitcom Bulbulay on social media. The series first premiered in 2009.

Omar, Zafar, Hina Dilpazeer, Mahmood Aslam and Shagufta Ejaz shared collaborative posts on Instagram to commemorate the milestone. The actress noted that the show provides a moment of joy and laughter for families and communities facing various stressors.

Omar highlighted the show's diverse reach, mentioning that she meets children from Gen Z and Gen Alpha who credit the series with enriching their childhoods. She also noted that the program is watched by people with Down syndrome or autism, blind listeners who know the dialogues by heart, and even serious political figures.

Production was originally intended to last for 26 episodes with filming scheduled to continue for six months. Dilpazeer joined the cast as the character Momo during the wedding episode.

Walter Koenig died of old age at his home in North Hollywood on 25 October. His daughter and niece were present with him at the time of his death.

Koenig is best known for portraying Chekov in the original Star Trek series. The actor also served as the best man at the wedding of George Takei.

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Representatives for Koenig said, "Today we mourn the passing of Walter Koenig, whose talent, warmth, and unforgettable performances left a lasting mark on generations of fans around the world."

Lionsgate and Steven Paul are establishing a joint venture to launch new initiatives, with SP Media committing a significant investment to the project. Paul met with President Donald Trump at the White House on 31 August to advocate for federal tax incentives for the Hollywood industry.

Legendary Entertainment has revived its attempt to acquire Lionsgate, a deal involving negotiations by Brian Goldsmith, Bruce Tobey, and Suzy Felfeli. Scott Karol negotiated the terms for SP Media, while Moelis acted as the financial adviser for Lionsgate.

Lazard provided financial advice to SP Media, and Paul Hastings represented the company in the transaction.

Paramount Pictures is producing a film based on the Call of Duty video game franchise, with Peter Berg set to direct the project. Taylor Sheridan wrote the script for the upcoming production.

The studio announced the project in September 2025 and scheduled the theatrical release for 30 June 2028. The narrative will draw inspiration from the Modern Warfare games, specifically Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which debuted in 2007.

Berg stated, "Taylor and I are both deeply connected to the special ops community." The franchise has generated $35 billion in lifetime revenue and reached 1 billion players.

This agreement allows Paramount to potentially expand the Call of Duty universe into television and other film formats. Paramount Pictures has not disclosed any casting information or specific plot details for the movie.

Samsung is offering discounts on its P9 MicroSD Express cards across several retail outlets. The 256GB model of the P9 MicroSD Express card currently costs $47.99.

A 512GB version is available for $99, which is a significant reduction from its typical retail price of between $150 and $200. Retailers usually sell the smaller 256GB card for approximately $80.

Storage capacity is becoming increasingly relevant as first-party games for the Switch 2 are expected to range from 10 to 30 gigabytes. Specific titles like the 27GB remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and the 60GB Cyberpunk 2077 highlight the need for expanded space.

Hardware such as the Asus ROG Ally X20 now includes support for MicroSD Express and operates on Windows 11.

Disney+ customers can now stream hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted content from Channel 4, including access to the broadcaster's linear HD channel. Subscribers will view the programming through a dedicated section branded by Channel 4 without paying any additional fees.

The streaming platform will also provide users with multiple new Channel 4 shows every year. Disney+ described the arrangement as one of its “most significant” content deals with broadcasters on a global scale.

Approximately 10 similar content agreements have been signed by Disney with international broadcasters recently. Last year, Disney entered a similar agreement with the British streamer ITVX to share specific content.

Netflix also established a major deal in France to offer its subscribers access to TF1 channels.

Actress Tovah Feldshuh responded to actor Adam Brody's support for Palestine following his call for a “Free Palestine” during a GQ interview. Feldshuh, who portrays Bina Roklov in the production “Nobody Wants This,” stated that accusations from Jewish people impact the Jewish community.

The actress described the current era as experiencing a ‘horseshoe effect’ where socialism and antisemitism are attempting to converge. “I believe that the perseverance of the existence of the state of Israel is crucial to the well-being of the democratic world and of the free world… Of course, Israel needs the United States, [but] the United States needs Israel, believe me,” Feldshuh said.

She added that her role as both Bina and herself involves being kind and loving the people on her work set.

Macklemore launched a three-show 'Free Palestine' tour in Dublin, Ireland, to raise funds for charities supporting the region. The musician will travel to Paris on 29 October and London on 30 October as part of this specific stint.

Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe have all withdrawn from the tour. The artist was removed as an opening act for Ed Sheeran after delivering a political speech on stage.

Sheeran stated that the decision to drop Macklemore belonged to the promoter rather than himself. Macklemore claimed that Robert Kraft refused to allow him to perform at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.

A one-off performance took place at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on 22 October. Macklemore described the mission as one of "love and liberation".

Macklemore described the effort as "love and liberation".

Macklemore

National Foods Limited launched the National Foodpreneur Programme to provide practical skills to 10 Deaf men and women. The three-month Professional Culinary Training initiative was established in partnership with ConnectHear.

Participants will undergo hands-on training covering various cuisines, food hygiene, safety, HACCP principles, and professional kitchen operations. Sarah Dawood, Head of Corporate Reputation at National Foods Limited, said, "As a food leader, empowering the next generation of chefs, including Persons with Disabilities, is more than teaching a craft. It is a commitment to inclusion, socioeconomic uplift, and the enduring development of our communities."

Azima Dhanjee, CEO and Co-founder of ConnectHear, stated that by ensuring accessible training, sign language instruction, and trained teachers, this culinary programme gives ten Deaf individuals a pathway to professional skills and employment. The government increased the price of diesel by Rs2.16 per litre.

Petrol prices rose by Rs1.54 per litre.

Taylor Swift joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame as its youngest member at the age of 36. Brad Paisley inducted Swift into the hall during a ceremony that featured several other notable musicians.

Lyle Lovett, Bruce Channel, Shawn Camp and Lee Thomas Miller were also admitted to the hall alongside the singer. J.I. Allison received recognition as a late inductee during the proceedings.

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George Strait was presented with the Career Maker Award as part of the event. Lainey Wilson performed a stripped-back version of the song “Love Story” to serenade Swift.

Swift previously became the youngest writer to receive the Songwriters Hall of Fame honour in New York in June. Swift said, “the memories that I visit most frequently when I need to return back to some semblance of remembering what normalcy is and why I do this.”

Jon Stewart mocked Donald Trump's obsession with Nicki Minaj during a recent episode of The Daily Show. The former president previously commented on the rapper's "beautiful ass".

Stewart also criticised a campaign advertisement released by Ohio Republican governor hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy. That specific ad features the estranged mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton.

Through 2028, Stewart will continue to host the program. His previous contract was scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.

In November 2025, the comedian signed a one-year renewal agreement. Stewart first began hosting The Daily Show in 1999.

He departed the show in 2015 before making a comeback in February 2024. Ratings for the show increased following his return to the host chair.

Donnie Iris died at the age of 83 after battling bladder cancer for three years. The artist performed his final show on 28 September.

During his career, Iris achieved success with The Jaggerz, whose 1970 single "The Rapper" reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the late 1970s, he joined Wild Cherry as a guitarist.

Iris and the Cruisers released a string of singles including "Back on the Streets" in 1980, "King Cool" in 1981, "The High and the Mighty" in 1982, and "Fortune 410" in 1983. MCA Records dropped the group in 1984.

Iris also owned SimCorp in Aliquippa. Iris said, "It got me some business I normally wouldn’t have."

Pakistan Police Sports Board players won 13 medals in total during the 54th National Athletics Championship and the Asian and World Masters Grand Prix Weightlifting Championship 2026. Eight gold medals were secured by the athletes, alongside two silver and three bronze medals.

Inspector General Punjab offered his congratulations to the winning players for their performance. Imran Arshad, Additional IG and Director General of the Pakistan Police Sports Board, also praised the winners.

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DIG Athar Ismail, the Chief Sports Officer, extended his congratulations to the team as well.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the Kashmir Chowk Underpass Project to review construction work and assess progress. The project was launched 17 days ago.

During the site visit, Naqvi inspected ongoing construction activities and reviewed the progress made since the start of the work. He examined the pace of work specifically on the walls and the roof slab of the underpass.

Public health facilities in Quetta are experiencing a significant rise in seasonal diseases, with hundreds of residents arriving daily for treatment. Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical Complex, and Benazir Bhutto General Hospital are reporting heavy patient volumes alongside numerous private clinics.

Large numbers of women and elderly citizens are also falling ill during this period. Medical staff claim that sudden temperature swings and an increasing chill have weakened the immunity of the local population.

The use of untreated water in some localities is compounding the health crisis. Health experts are urging residents to take preventive measures to protect themselves.

Medical professionals strongly advise against self-medication.

The Punjab government established 95 sale points across the Bhakkar district to distribute subsidised flour. A 10-kilogramme bag of flour is priced at Rs1,100 at these locations.

This price offers consumers a discount of Rs230 compared to the current market rate. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the implementation of this initiative.

The Food Department is supplying the flour in 10kg bags rather than the standard 20kg packs. Sale points are distributed across the four tehsils of the district.

The department introduced monitoring arrangements to ensure flour is sold at the prescribed price. Monitoring is being carried out to ensure availability and prevent irregularities in distribution.

Relevant staff and dealers were instructed to cooperate with consumers. The 95 sale points were set up to improve access to subsidised flour.

Organisers moved the event from its original October date because of a conflict with Yemen's Houthis. Sinner, who is 25 years old, has been sidelined by an injury since he won Wimbledon in July.

The Italian player shared a poster for the upcoming competition on his Instagram account on Monday. He maintains a 94 percent winning record in 2026 and secured two Grand Slams and the ATP Finals in each of the previous two seasons.

Other notable competitors include world No.2 Alexander Zverev, who won the French Open and the US Open this season, and 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic. Carlos Alcaraz, a seven-time major winner, is also expected to participate.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry chaired a sub-committee meeting to establish a 120-day deadline for developing a shrimp farming expansion roadmap. The roadmap serves as a component of a broader 24-month process for implementation and review.

Seven technical working groups and a projection and costing cell received approval from the sub-committee during the session. Officials also approved 14 reports and export projections, alongside an initial 14-day action plan.

Fisheries departments from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan participated in the meeting. The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan joined the ministries of National Food Security and Research and Maritime Affairs at the gathering.

Rana Muhammad Saleem Afzal noted that establishing an effective value chain remains a major challenge, though efforts are underway to build hatcheries. A feasibility study is currently being prepared for a 3,500-acre shrimp farm in Sindh.

A Saudi-led coalition intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. Three drones were also shot down by the coalition over the Riyadh region and southern Saudi Arabia on 26 October.

Military operations successfully destroyed Houthi ballistic missile launchers, storage tunnels, and a missile depot. The Houthi group captured strategic areas along Yemen's Red Sea coast last month and moved toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The 2022 UN-brokered truce was shattered as the group maintains control over the capital, Sanaa. The Saudi-led coalition continues to support Yemen's internationally recognised government.

The federal government established a National Wheat Policy and fixed the price of wheat at Rs4,500 per maund. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, announced the decision during a press conference in Islamabad.

Officials reached this price point following consultations with all provincial governments. The government stated there would be no shortage of wheat this year.

To ensure availability, the state will maintain strategic wheat reserves of up to 6,000,000 metric tonnes during the current year. The government can import up to 550,000 metric tonnes of wheat to meet provincial requirements, with imported grain costing approximately Rs4,500 per maund.

Hussain claimed that the prevailing hike in prices is artificial and manipulated by certain market elements. The new policy framework also includes regulations relating to seeds, olives and biotechnology.

Pakistan currently experiences significant shortages of pulses, fruits, and vegetables across the country. In contrast, the nation's supply of sugar and cereals exceeds the actual dietary requirements of the population.

National dietary guidelines were adopted in 2018 to address nutritional standards. Agricultural and food policies have traditionally prioritised production volumes over nutritional requirements.

Rising food prices now place essential dietary components beyond the purchasing power of millions of people.

The federal government has earmarked Rs117.75 billion for the education sector within a total budget outlay of Rs18.77 trillion. Rs46 billion of this funding is specifically designated for projects aimed at developing higher education.

Education has been a provincial responsibility since the 18th Amendment, yet the federal government is providing these resources. Spending on education in FY2025 reached 0.8% of the gross domestic product, falling short of the 4% minimum recommended by international bodies.

More than 26 million children currently remain out of school in a nation where 150 million youth reside. Over one-third of the population suffers from significant deprivations in living standards, healthcare, and schooling.

The government plans to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks to needy students based on merit. Eligibility for the Chromebook programme extends to students from religious seminaries and mainstream educational institutions.